Jiri Hudler is a former Czech professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He began his career in the Czech Republic, playing for HC Verva Litvínov before being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Hudler made his NHL debut in the 2003-2004 season, playing in 12 games for the Red Wings. He spent the majority of the next two seasons playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. In the 2006-2007 season, Hudler became a regular in the Red Wings' lineup, scoring 25 goals and 33 assists in 76 games.
Hudler played for the Red Wings for six seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2008. In the 2008-2009 season, he set career highs in goals (23) and points (57). After the 2008-2009 season, Hudler signed a two-year contract with Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Hudler returned to the NHL in the 2012-2013 season, signing a one-year contract with the Calgary Flames. He had a career year with the Flames, scoring 17 goals and 37 assists in 42 games, earning him the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. Hudler signed a four-year contract extension with the Flames in 2014.
Hudler was traded to the Florida Panthers in the 2015-2016 season, where he played in 19 games before being traded again to the Dallas Stars. He played in 32 games for the Stars, scoring 11 points. Hudler became an unrestricted free agent after the 2016-2017 season and did not sign with a team for the following season.
Throughout his NHL career, Hudler scored 161 goals and 267 assists in 708 games. He also represented the Czech Republic in international play, winning a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Off the ice, Hudler has been involved in charitable work, including the Hudler Family Foundation, which supports children's charities in the Czech Republic and North America.
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